Report Number: 05-0000201
Report Date: 05/27/2005
Event Description
While laying out at a multiple alarm fire on a cold, clear night on 12/25/2004, at approximately midnight, a firefighter was ordered to break a 5-inch L.D.H. supply line coupling located on top of the hosebed of a 1997 (apparatus manufacturer deleted) pumper. This order was given because the engine was blocked by a ladder truck that had miscalculated a turn into an alley and caused the road to become blocked in front of the engine. The firefighter, in full PPE and SCBA, proceeded to carry out the order which was given by the lieutenent in charge of the engine. The hosebed height is approximately 7'6" and the bar on the back of the engine is approximately 8'6" high.
As the firefighter stood on top of the engine, which had become motionless due to the blocked roadway, he attempted to break the coupling while standing on top of the L.D.H. and straddling the hose. This was difficult due to the coupling locks. He needed a second person to hold one of the locks in order to complete this task. Meanwhile, the ladder truck was able to negotiate the turn after a series of backing maneuvers and moved out of the engine's path. The engine lieutenant then ordered the engine driver to lay out to the hydrant. The firefighter on top of the hosebed was unaware of the order and was in positon to be seriously injured as the engine was placed in motion to finish the hoselay. The driver of the engine had no idea there was a firefighter on top of the hosebed. This conflicting order came from the same lieutenant who ordered the firefighter to break the coupling on top of the hosebed.
I was the fourth firefighter on the engine and had just completed hooking the LDH to a manifold. As I was returning to the engine I witnessed the firefighter on top of the hosebed as the order to lay out was issued. I yelled at the firefighter on top of the engine to "GET OFF THE 5" HOSE!! THEY'RE LAYING OUT!!!" The firefighter was in a position to fall off the engine or be dragged under the bar of the engine off the hosebed. The lieutenant of the engine didn't realize what had almost occurred and was irate that I communicated with the firefighter on top of the engine. This officer felt that I was giving conflicting orders when I was only watching out for a fellow firefighter whose safety was at risk because of the conflicting orders. Fortunately nothing bad happened at this incident but it was a definite "near miss".
Lesson Learned
1. We all have to work together as a team and be able to communicate efficiently under stress, especially when there is a safety issue.
2. Our leaders must have a calm, reasonable, command presence. Unfortunately, not all officers are capable of being proficient fireground leaders. This places a great burden on (slang term deleted) firefighters to "watch out for each other" in order to avoid injury or worse, as the result of incompetent leadership. Fortunately, this officer is the exception in our department. However, it's only a matter of time before he injures a (slang term deleted) firefighter while making a bad decision.
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